In a recent blog post I mused on the deep problems of academic careers and staff development for adjunct and fractional (permanent) staff, and shared the post in a discussion I started in the LinkedIn Higher Education Learning and Teaching group. While it is a hotly debated topic my post didn’t attract much discussion as likely touched on familiar ground… Read more →
Here in the UK, the adjunct lecturer is known as an HPL – an hourly paid lecturer, on a zero hours contract. When I first entered academia, as a student, I was surprised to learn that some of my lecturers were ‘HPL’s’, and that in fact, many of the staff in the subject area had begun their lecturing lives that… Read more →
As I have come to realise over the past couple of years, progress in academia is unlikely without a PhD. And as a rather ‘grown up’ person of maturing years, this is more true than ever, especially for posts of any worth or purpose. Several years in academia has taught me one crucial lesson: never rely on any career development… Read more →
A quick note about MA research updates on this site. I’m carrying out some research into uptake of technology in learning and teaching for my MA (in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education) dissertation. I’m getting fairly enthusiastic, and believe that the work matches well with my MSc in Multimedia Systems as I try to progress in higher education careers.
I find myself in a strange position. While always grateful for any paid employment, I am now in a cul-de-sac of dead end tasks with no way out. Odd, that in an institution of higher learning there should be such a limited view of dealing with employees, especially if they have had measurable success in their work. I don’t think… Read more →